As Ocean Conservancy’s Chief Development Officer, Shawn Castellanos leads the organization’s capacity building work by envisioning, operationalizing and activating all fundraising and development strategies in support of the mission. Shawn brings more than 20 years of experience in all facets of nonprofit resource mobilization, having held key leadership roles at esteemed organizations including the American Heart Association, Cornell University and Johns Hopkins University. Shawn uses her extensive experience leading large fundraising teams to advance our mission to protect our ocean.

Shawn graduated from the University of Iowa with honors and holds a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, along with certificates from Johns Hopkins and the London School of Economics. When not championing ocean conservation, Shawn enjoys snorkeling with her family, reading, gardening and volunteering at her local food bank.

Her favorite ocean animal? The beluga whale—she admires their incredible echolocation abilities!